A collaborative framework for joint DFO/NOAA ocean acidification research and monitoring

Table of Contents

• Complete Text
• 1.0 Introduction
  • 1.1 Background and context
  • 1.2 DFO mission as related to ocean acidification
  • 1.3 NOAA mission as related to ocean acidification
  • 1.4 Coordination framework
  • 1.5 Value proposition
• 2.0 Monitoring
  • 2.1 Integrated monitoring
  • 2.2 Priority regions
  • 2.3 Biological indicators
• 3.0 Research, modelling and experimentation
  • 3.1 Modelling initiative
  • 3.2 Establish research priorities
• 4.0 Data and information
  • 4.1 Data sharing
  • 4.2 Inventories of science capacity
  • 4.3 Communication
• 5.0 Supports for collaboration
  • 5.1 Best practices
  • 5.2 Sharing capacity, expertise, and methodologies
  • 5.3 Other partners
  • 5.4 Technology
  • 5.5 Platforms, ships, moorings, and laboratories
• 6.0 Conclusion
  • 6.1 Summary of actionable items
  • 6.2 Future meetings
• Annex: Governance

6.0 Conclusion

6.1 Summary of actionable items

A governance structure has been developed to implement the steps outlined in this Coordination Framework (Annex). Working groups will be established in 1) monitoring; and 2) research, modelling, and experimentation (Annex). For example, the monitoring group will coordinate the timing and capacity of planned cruises and identify opportunities for collaboration. The two working groups will be coordinated by an overarching DFO-NOAA Ocean Acidification Coordination Committee that will provide central leadership and promote communication between the working groups (Annex).

DFO will establish a National Research Plan for Ocean Acidification which will help to establish priorities on a national level that can later be expanded to determine further shared research priorities with NOAA. DFO and NOAA will use existing data portals, including the GOA-ON portal, to promote broad sharing of OA information between the two countries and provide web-based information exchange. Inventories of science capacity of both agencies will also be created and shared to promote communication and coordination.

Better coordination between NOAA and DFO will benefit both countries by providing increased capacity and sharing knowledge to improve understanding of OA within Canada and the United States. Effective bilateral collaboration will represent a more efficient use of resources in pursuit of the shared objectives identified above because of the many shared commercially important species and contiguous coastlines, and because of the similar ongoing monitoring and research activities in Canada and the US. Actionable items will continue to be identified to determine a concrete way forward for both agencies.

6.2 Future meetings

DFO and NOAA commit to enhancing cooperation on oceans and climate change, and finding new ways to work together on monitoring and researching the impacts of ocean acidification. Going forward, meetings will be held as needed to continue discussions on coordinated research and monitoring, and on progress made since the most recent meeting.